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Marc-Antoine Charpentier

(1645 - 1704)

Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643 - February 24, 1704) was a prolific and versatile French composer, creating quality music in several genres. His mastery of sacred vocal music was recognized and acknowledged in his day.

Charpentier was born in or near Paris, and received a solid education before traveling to Rome (c. 1667-9) to study with Giacomo Carissimi, a master of the Roman School and the first composer of oratorios, among other innovations.

His compositions include oratorios, Psalm settings, hymns, Magnificat settings, masses, motets, operas, dramatic secular vocal works, and numerous smaller pieces. Many of these latter works for one or two voices and instruments resemble the Italian cantata of His day.